Mastering “Summer In the City” by The Lovin’ Spoonful

The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer In The City” is not just a summer anthem but also an excellent song to practice and enhance your singing skills. Known for its captivating beat and unique vocal technique, this song employs Fenestration – a technique that gives texture to the vocals through controlled micro-scale pitch variations, inspired by Blues and Folk. Fenestration is often mistaken for Vibrato, but it’s more spontaneous and soulful. Other popular songs that use it include Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” and Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know”.

Let’s explore how to sing “Summer In The City” effectively using Singing Carrots tools and techniques.

Step 1: Vocal Range and Key

Establish your vocal range to ensure you can comfortably sing the notes in the song. The song is commonly sung in the key of C# minor.

Step 2: Analyze the Vocals

In our article on voice analysis, you can learn about different voice types and vocal characteristics. This will help you to replicate the unique texture found in this song.

Step 3: Breathing and Resonance

Proper breath support and resonance are crucial for achieving the unique vocal texture of Fenestration. Practice singing with an open throat and relaxed mouth to enhance resonance.

Step 4: Understand and Practice Fenestration

You might not find a lot of material on Fenestration since it’s a largely intuitive and spontaneous technique. But don’t fret, as you can achieve it with controlled pitch variations and emotional interpretation. This Vibrato video can be a starting point to understand pitch variation.

Step 5: Practice Vocal Break

The song uses vocal breaks to add emotional intensity. It’s when you shift between chest voice and head voice, creating a noticeable “break” or change in tone. Try this Voice Break video for better understanding.

Step 6: Learn the Song

Finally, use the Singing Carrots guide to learn the song effectively.

The song “Summer in the City” is a great way to explore and practice the Fenestration technique whilst bolstering your overall singing technique. Happy singing!